SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – A new federal investigation is underway to determine if the state of Minnesota is in violation of Title IX for allowing a biological male student-athlete to compete in the girls’ high school softball tournament earlier this month.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the transgender athlete’s participation was instrumental in leading Champlin Park High School to a state title.
This investigation comes on the heels of another federal probe into Minnesota state laws that allow biological males in girls sports and defy President Donald Trump’s executive order on ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.’
HHS has said its investigation is part of a larger initiative to defend women and restore biological truth to the federal government.
“Females cannot be relegated to the sidelines under Title IX,” said OCR Director Paula M. Stannard. “As a recipient of Federal funds, Title IX requires Minnesota to ensure fair and safe opportunities for females to compete on sex-segregated teams – regardless of state law obligations.”
Minnesota First District Congressman Brad Finstad applauded the latest investigation in a written statement.
“Girls deserve a fair playing field in competitive sports, which the State of Minnesota has denied them by allowing biological males to take roster positions, scholarships, and even championships away from them,” the New Ulm Republican wrote. “As a dad and husband to strong female athletes, I’m glad to see the Trump Administration upholding fairness and equal opportunities in women’s athletics programs by investigating Minnesota’s continued efforts to undermine Title IX protections against biological men playing on girls’ sports teams.”
KTTC reached out to the Minnesota attorney general’s office for comment on the HHS investigation. No response has been provided.
In a previous statement, regarding transgender participation in Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) events, Attorney General Keith Ellison said, “I will continue to defend the rights of all students to play sports with their friends and peers.”
Three Minnesota high school softball players have filed a federal lawsuit challenging MSHSL’s policy on transgender athletes.
“In Minnesota, participation and eligibility of transgender student-athletes is determined by state law, through the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution,” MSHSL wrote in a February public statement on the topic. ”The Minnesota State High School League, similar to other youth sports organizations, is subject to state anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Therefore, students in Minnesota are allowed to participate consistent with their gender identity."
In April, Ellison filed a federal lawsuit that alleged two of Trump’s executive orders targeting transgender children and adults violate the U.S. Constitution and Title IX.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
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